Romans 8:22-27 (NRSV)
Read Romans 8:22-27 on biblegateway.com
Verse 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; Verse 23and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Verse 24For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? Verse 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Verse 26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Verse 27And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Devotion
The Apostle Paul calls our attention to how we are interconnected to the earth and all creation as we join in groans of longing for signs of the Lord’s presence among us. As we groan united physically and spiritually, we trust the Spirit is inspiring these groans to be a sign and assurance of the Lord’s active promises to us. The Spirit holds us in a hope of fullness of life manifest only when the Lord brings about the fullness of time and the finite realm breathes out together in infinite alleluias.
As we wonder in our life journey, good or bad, we often seem to seek our well-being to be rooted in laboratories and not so much in the earth and the land. We wonder what am I putting in my body? Is this tomato going to give me cancer? Is this bread going to cause me to break out with hives? Is our food chain hopeless? What do we even pray for at this point? We listen for the Spirit, for the Spirit knows. Take intentional time to train ears that listen.
Prayer
Grace upon grace, we are so lost as collective humanity. There are way too many problems with solutions rooted in making profit. May our prayers be Spirit-filled and may our ears be tuned to your Spirit that our words may offer hope in a world that longs for hope. Amen.